The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W R H Hardwick

William Robert Harrold Hardwick was born on 1st September 1916 and joined 601 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force about October 1938 as an Aircrafthand. Called to full-time service on 24th August 1939, he remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG and after completing his training joined 600 Squadron, serving with it in the Battle of Britain.

With the advent of the Beaufighter and airborne radar, Hardwick and other air gunners were posted away to Bomber Command in late 1940. He was serving as a rear gunner with 44 Squadron in 1942, operating in Lancasters. He was a member of the CO's crew.

Hardwick was released from the RAF in 1945 and in November of that year he was commissioned in the Training Branch of the RAFVR and he later commanded the Air Training Corps in Ilford.

Hardwick died in March 1972 in Redbridge, London.